Genesee County is calling for all teens to put it on YouTube

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Are you a talented teen? Put in on YouTube and send it to the Genesee District Library.

The library system is looking for kids aged 12-18 to compete in its first teen talent show to be conducted this summer at libraries across the system.

"We are looking for teens with any kind of talent, as long as it is tasteful," said Karen Upham, who heads teen services for the district library system.

Beginning now, teens -- alone or with a group -- can upload a 2- to 3-minute segment of their talent on YouTube to www.youtube.com/group/teenfusion. It could be comedy, drama, dance, ballet or music. Don't worry about getting into a costume, that could come later for teens selected to compete in live shows in Swartz Creek, Grand Blanc, Davison or Clio in June and July, leading up to the finals in Burton on July 30.

Besides the recognition, there will be prizes, too, Upham said.

"This is all part of our summer reading theme of 'Express Yourself,'" Upham said.

Besides their talent, teens need to include their name or the name of their group, grade in school, an email address or their telephone number.

Upham said the library is accepting entries up to June 20 in advance of the first talent show 3-4:30 p.m. at the Swartz Creek library/ampitheater. It will be followed 6-8:30 p.m. July 9 at the Grand Blanc library before the Davison library also hosts a show 6-8:30 p.m. July 16 in the Davison City Hall community room.

The final preliminary round will be 6-8:30 p.m. at the Clio Area Library.

The library system will select up to 48 performers with 12 each to be presented at the area libraries.

Upham said a committee of professionals and library staff will review the YouTube submissions but audiences at the finals at Baker Park Library/senior center will help determine the first, second and third place winners.

"We're pretty much following TV shows elimination rounds," Upham said who said the YouTube submissions could be just a sample of the talent entries.